The Ford Barn

BUBBAS IGNITION · 01-18-2018, 02:44 PM

MSD bought Mallory, and then Holley bought MSD, received this latest product release from them today regarding the Flathead mallorys. They were pretty good units in the past . Three and four bolts..

Dual points....

slowforty · 01-18-2018, 05:18 PM

Looks nice but I would rather have you do a stock 40 distributor and give you a $20 tip.

Seth Swoboda · 01-18-2018, 05:21 PM

Bubba, what is the advantage over a new Mallory unit compared to a rebuilt genuine Ford crab unit?

Tim Ayers · 01-18-2018, 05:56 PM

I would like to know as well. Not sure why they kept it so big. One glance someone could tell it’s not factory. It better kick the pants off one of your rebuilds or I don’t see the point.

flatjack9 · 01-18-2018, 11:00 PM

And there is no vacuum retard.

38bill · 01-19-2018, 11:30 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

I would like to know as well. Not sure why they kept it so big. One glance someone could tell it’s not factory. It better kick the pants off one of your rebuilds or I don’t see the point.

I think the size is too big also. Don't even think it would fit in my truck as I'm using two belts and a slingshot type fan carrier.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 01-19-2018, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Bubba, what is the advantage over a new Mallory unit compared to a rebuilt genuine Ford crab unit?

Seth, There is NO advantage over a stock rebuild. Our rebuilds are perfect in all operation specs and run very well.
However the marketing of some of these products make it sound like it will give ya 100 more horse power ( it wont of course)
People buy our rebuilt crab and then allow their (gasp) chevrolet friends to try to adjust them. Usually dont work very well and they end up on the Barn with a crack , pop etc, running poorly.
With the early Ford helmets and crabs, once rebuilt install and leave alone....

Ol' Ron · 01-19-2018, 04:55 PM

I'm curious, Bubba, don't you make up H&C conversions as well with the new H&C rotors and center plate??? Kinda a much better system?

BUBBAS IGNITION · 01-20-2018, 10:11 AM

Ron,

I do rebuild the Harmon and Collins and have used some of the new plastic parts.
The Harmon and Collins is basically two four cylinder ignition systems using aircraft platinium contact points. The four cylinder cam allows some higher rpm range and uses dual coils.
Nice concept but expensive to buy build and run.
The spark advance on the Harmon Collins is the same as the orginal Ford crab unit...

Ford whisperer · 01-20-2018, 10:36 AM

I tried a Mallory dual point distributor (exact part no. I forget but apparently no longer available) in my '49 Mercury 8ba decades ago and resulted in loss of power. I had this Mallory in storage for years until I recently tried it in my '51 f1 8ba and same experience of total crap-out. Limped home in 1st gear no faster than 5mph. Now, I know something about setting points and checking dwell, and I had this one dialed in according to mallory's specs, but I still can't fathom why this distributor fails to perform. Been using the original distributor with dependable results. That Mallory is back on my storage shelf collecting dust until I have time to mess with it again. I'd appreciate any advice.

with great performance.

tubman · 01-20-2018, 11:14 AM

"Ford Whisperer" - Is the Mallory distributor an older "Flattop" (Two piece cap) model or the later model one with a regular looking cap (usually red). When you installed the distributor, did you change the coil or not? If not, t's got to be something internal to the distributor (points or a bare wire grounding on the housing someplace). It may also be the condenser. Does your distributor have the external brass "trash can" condenser? These are hard to get lately, and all of them I've seen are split. If it looks like the condenser may be bad, I am making reliable reproductions of the "trash cans". PM me if you would like to try one and see if it helps. Here is what mine look like.

Glenn Thoreson · 01-20-2018, 02:11 PM

I am running a later red cap on my '42 with a '53 Merc engine, '48 coil and modern ('49-'53) condenser. The thing runs like a scalded dog but when the Mallory gives up I will go back to the stock setup. Stock setup on my A V8 with an 8BA engine runs the same. I have a bunch of NOS points and condensers to use up. The only thing I can see that may be better than stock might be an electronic pickup installed in the stock distributor.
Maybe when I run out of point sets?

lodaddyo · 01-20-2018, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatjack9

And there is no vacuum retard.

no need for the name calling

Ford whisperer · 01-20-2018, 06:58 PM

Okay. I looked at this Mallory and it's their model 2527501 and according to their data sheet it takes a "400" condenser. Now, the condenser I was using was new out of the wrapper and so I had a high level of confidence it was correct and good for my application. But these days with quality control issues in abundance anything goes. Yeah Tubman, I would like to give your condenser a try. Internal wiring in the distributor is the first thing I go looking at and all is good. I'll post a pic when the snow melts and I can get down to the garage. Thank you.

01-18-2018, 05:18 PM	#2
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,060	Re: Mallory product release... Looks nice but I would rather have you do a stock 40 distributor and give you a $20 tip.

01-18-2018, 05:21 PM	#3
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 3,788	Re: Mallory product release... Bubba, what is the advantage over a new Mallory unit compared to a rebuilt genuine Ford crab unit?

01-18-2018, 05:56 PM	#4
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,177	Re: Mallory product release... I would like to know as well. Not sure why they kept it so big. One glance someone could tell it’s not factory. It better kick the pants off one of your rebuilds or I don’t see the point.

01-18-2018, 11:00 PM	#5
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,526	Re: Mallory product release... And there is no vacuum retard.

01-19-2018, 04:55 PM	#8
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,859	Re: Mallory product release... I'm curious, Bubba, don't you make up H&C conversions as well with the new H&C rotors and center plate??? Kinda a much better system?

01-20-2018, 10:11 AM	#9
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: Mallory product release... Ron, I do rebuild the Harmon and Collins and have used some of the new plastic parts. The Harmon and Collins is basically two four cylinder ignition systems using aircraft platinium contact points. The four cylinder cam allows some higher rpm range and uses dual coils. Nice concept but expensive to buy build and run. The spark advance on the Harmon Collins is the same as the orginal Ford crab unit... __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

01-20-2018, 10:36 AM	#10
Ford whisperer Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Idyllwild, california Posts: 33	Re: Mallory product release... I tried a Mallory dual point distributor (exact part no. I forget but apparently no longer available) in my '49 Mercury 8ba decades ago and resulted in loss of power. I had this Mallory in storage for years until I recently tried it in my '51 f1 8ba and same experience of total crap-out. Limped home in 1st gear no faster than 5mph. Now, I know something about setting points and checking dwell, and I had this one dialed in according to mallory's specs, but I still can't fathom why this distributor fails to perform. Been using the original distributor with dependable results. That Mallory is back on my storage shelf collecting dust until I have time to mess with it again. I'd appreciate any advice. with great performance.

01-20-2018, 02:11 PM	#12
Glenn Thoreson Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 203	Re: Mallory product release... I am running a later red cap on my '42 with a '53 Merc engine, '48 coil and modern ('49-'53) condenser. The thing runs like a scalded dog but when the Mallory gives up I will go back to the stock setup. Stock setup on my A V8 with an 8BA engine runs the same. I have a bunch of NOS points and condensers to use up. The only thing I can see that may be better than stock might be an electronic pickup installed in the stock distributor. Maybe when I run out of point sets?

01-20-2018, 06:58 PM	#14
Ford whisperer Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Idyllwild, california Posts: 33	Re: Mallory product release... Okay. I looked at this Mallory and it's their model 2527501 and according to their data sheet it takes a "400" condenser. Now, the condenser I was using was new out of the wrapper and so I had a high level of confidence it was correct and good for my application. But these days with quality control issues in abundance anything goes. Yeah Tubman, I would like to give your condenser a try. Internal wiring in the distributor is the first thing I go looking at and all is good. I'll post a pic when the snow melts and I can get down to the garage. Thank you.